The Indian Olympic Association announced the flag bearer for the ongoing Asian Games 2023 on Wednesday. Olympian medalist boxer Lovlin Borgohain and hockey captain Harmanpreet Singh will be the flag bearers for India at the Asian Games 2023 Opening Ceremony. The 19th Asian Games have already started, but the opening ceremony is scheduled to be held on September 23, 2023. This year the Asian Games will be held in Hangzhou, China. A total of 40 sporting events are organised in 61 sports. All sports competitions are held at 56 venues in Hangzhou. The closing ceremony of the Asian Games will be held on October 8, 2023. India’s candidate list for the Asian Games is 921, including 655 athletes, 260 coaches and support staff. This is the country’s biggest crowd ever at the Asian Games.

Bhupender Singh Bajwa, head of the India contingent, told the media “We have come today after a lot of deliberation.” Bajwa added, This time we have two flag bearers – hockey captain Harmanpreet Singh and boxer Lovlina Borgohain – leading the charge at the Asian Games. Bajwa is also the head of the Wushu Association of India. 

India reaches semi-finals 

The Indian women’s cricket team has made it to the semi-finals of the Asian Games. Their quarter-final against Malaysia was abandoned due to rain on Thursday, but a higher place allowed the Smriti Mandhana-led side to qualify for the last four. The game was already reduced to 15 overs per side. Malaysia won the toss and asked India to bat first, Indian openers Shafali Verma and captain Smriti Mandhana off to a brisk start and set a target of 174 runs. However, just 2 bowls were bowled in the Malaysia innings and rain came, after waiting for a long time umpires called a call-off. India became the first team to reach the semifinals. 

Today,s event 

The Indian rowers also brought good news, as two pairs made it to the next round. There are more Indians in action later in the day. The Indian women’s football team will look to start their campaign with a win when they take on Chinese Taipei. On the other hand, it will be a chance for redemption for the Indian men’s football team when they face Bangladesh in their second group match after a disastrous 1-5 loss against China in their opening game.